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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in Brick, N.J. on Friday to open a FEMA Emergency Help Center and give a status report on the recovery effort. NBC10's Lu Ann Cahn was there. (Published Friday, Nov. 2, 2012)

Several cities in New Jersey are open to residents again after Hurricane Sandy forced thousands of people from their homes due to major flooding, extensive property damage and widespread power outages.

At a news conference in Brick, N.J., Gov. Chris Christie said that in spite of the devastation New Jersey will continue to move forward and rebuild.

“Our first job is to get life back to normal, power back on, gas at gas stations, kids back in school, and clean water for them to drink," Christie said. "We're moving very close to that.”

Atlantic City Mayor Lorenzo Langford announced that its casinos were open Friday morning. During a press conference he urged residents to be cautious as they make their way back to their homes. More than 25 percent of Atlantic City is still without power.

Residents Return to Toms River

Home and business owners were allowed back in Toms River on Friday for the first time since Sandy hit. NBC10's Christine Maddela reports.

(Published Friday, Nov. 2, 2012)

“I need to implore you to use extreme caution when you move out and about the city of Atlantic City," Langford said. "There still might be dangerous situations elsewhere throughout the city."

Atlantic City Electric expected all power to be restored on the mainland by Friday night and barrier islands by the end of day Saturday, according to Christie.

Ventnor also opened to residents and businesses, but they must show proof of residency for entry, according to police.

Margate Homeowners Get 1st Look at Damage

It's a mad rush to get back on the New Jersey barrier islands, but to do so you must show ID and prove you have a reason to be there. NBC10's Dawn Timmeney was in Margate as property owners arrived to assess what Sandy had done.

(Published Friday, Nov. 2, 2012)

Beginning Saturday at 8 a.m., Tuckerton Borough will allow residents to also enter with proof of residency.

The first two disaster recovery centers opened Friday, and more will open over the weekend, Christie said.

He said he was also working on getting all schools open as soon as possible.

Viewer Images From Sandy

“We need to get kids back to school, make their lives more normal, and I suspect make parents lives a lot less stressful,” he said.

Christie said motorists frustrated by long gas lines in northern New Jersey might want to head to South Jersey.

Only 25 percent of stations north of Interstate 195 are open and operating. But he said 90 percent south of I-95 are in service.